Copa del Rey 2018/19

Copa del Rey, also known as Spanish Cup is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. This is the oldest competition of Spain as it was first held in 1903. The winners of the cup earn the right to play directly in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League in the following season unless they qualify for the Champions League through their league position. The upcoming season of 2018/19 will be the 117th season of this competition. Last season 83 teams participated in the competition. Barcelona came out winning the competition after they beat Sevilla in the finals by 5-0.

The most successful club in the tournament is FC Barcelona. They have played the final 40 times and won the competition a staggering 30 times. Their rival Real Madrid has played in only one less final but won the cup only 19 times making them the runner-up in 20 editions. However, Athletic Bilbao has also been very successful in the competition as they won the cup 23 times.

The favorites to win the cup in the upcoming season of 2018/19 are:

FC Barcelona:

Barcelona has won this cup more than any other team and also is the current holders of the cup, which already indicates them as the favorites to win again in the upcoming season. Barcelona has won the competition four consecutive times now and they are eager to make it five. After a double winning season, Andres Iniesta has announced that he will not play for the Catalan side anymore. But Barcelona has already found a replacement for him and his name his Philippe Coutinho. Barcelona is eager to make their side stronger in the transfer window which could only mean they are probably going to win the cup again.

Real Madrid:

Real Madrid had a horrible season in Spain last season with a bad performance in both league and cup. However, they did win the Champion League last season. With Zinedine Zidane leaving the club this summer and new head coach Julen Lopetegui taking his position, the club will be eager to have a great season ahead. Rumors of big players of the club leaving are surrounding in the media but Florentino Perez surely has a plan for their replacement. Real Madrid last won the Copa del Rey in the 2013/14 season and next season could see their 20th cup title.

Atlético Madrid:

If any club other than Barcelona and Real Madrid can win the cup, then the club is Athletico Madrid. The Madrid club has a fantastic squad and it can be enough to win them the cup. The club has won the Copa del Rey 10 times before and are the third favorites to win the cup in the 2018/19 season.